27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day, a day to everyone to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of people killed by Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. 27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

Poetry NI and sister project Lagan Online have marked past Holocaust Memorial Days with the release of online chapbooks from writers within Ireland and beyond, reflecting on issues that remain as poignant and as relevant today as ever. All are downloadable for free, just link on the images below:

"And I would take your soft fingersAnd pull you down the alleys of my youthWe would sit under the electric starlightListen to the music of the gabAnd I would show you the tiny cubbyAnd the back room of my dreamsThen we’d cross the street to the shell of infancy"

The new issue FourXFour﻿ is out now, with new work from Jacqueline Rock, Rachel Spence, Rowan E. Madden and Rainbow Ashwood Jamaican.

Read online and download for free. Many thanks to Jacqueline Rock for the stunning cover artwork for this issue.

Remember, submissions are currently open for future issues too, see our guidelines. Subs close 3rd Feb, 2019.

​Announcing a new special e-pamphlet from Poetry NI for Christmas, by Elizabeth McGeown.

" 'twas two weeks before Christmasand all through Belfastpeople are trying to relive their past."

McGeown's epic poem 'twas captures many stories of the Christmas season: from the parties and celebrations, to the isolation felt by many, to commerce, music, TV specials and other traditions. It is a poem born of Belfast, and the unique situation the city centre found itself in during the wake of the Primark fire; but it also explores how Christmas can make us reflect on our own personal identity, and how we choose to engage with others.

World Poetry Movement is organising a worldwide poetry action called Return to the People, in defence of poetry and culture assaulted by unjust and exclusive systems, protecting free speech, and speaking out against regimes who oppress artists and writers.

Belfast Book Festival and Poetry NI are delighted to host eight poets, reading work in unity of this movement, including Nathan Armstrong, Colin Dardis, Mark Madden, Geraldine O'Kane, Willetta Fleming, Nathan Thanki and David Braziel (full line-up to be confirmed).

PLUS we've have OPEN MIC slots for anyone wanting to share a sea shanty or set sail on a sonnet! Just bring a poem with you on the day, come along and join in. Plus there will lots of other family-friendly events including walking tours, buskers, face painting, art trail, pop-up library and more!